David Cronenberg's new sci-fi film is devastating and mysterious 06. August 2025 (20:00) In The Shrouds, Karsh, Myrna and Maury talk – a lot – about mysterious shrouds, improbable tech and ever-more-complex conspiracy theories. Nothing happens, just grief and, er, death, finds Simon Ings(New Scientist)
Do the bumps on a bell pepper reveal how sweet it will be? Er, no 06. August 2025 (20:00) Social media influencers are convinced that the number of lobes on the base of a bell pepper give us information about its sex and taste. James Wong debunks this myth with some science(New Scientist)
Super-sticky hydrogel is 10 times stronger than other glues underwater 06. August 2025 (18:00) Researchers analysed thousands of natural protein sequences and got assistance from AI in order to design a new hydrogel adhesive that can stay sticky underwater or even within a living body(New Scientist)
Low dose of lithium reverses Alzheimer's symptoms in mice 06. August 2025 (18:00) People with Alzheimer’s disease have lower levels of lithium in their brains than those without cognitive impairment, and a deficiency of the metal appears to accelerate the accumulation of amyloid plaques and memory loss – but it could possibly be reversed with a small dose of lithium(New Scientist)
New NASA head wants to build a nuclear reactor on the moon – but why? 06. August 2025 (14:48) The acting administrator of NASA, Sean Duffy, announced a directive to build a powerful nuclear reactor on the moon, but it is unclear what it would power – or even if his plan is legal(New Scientist)
We can repurpose retired coal plants to produce green energy 05. August 2025 (23:00) Piles of dirt can cheaply store renewable energy as heat – and that stored energy can reactivate the machinery of retired coal power plants, letting them provide backup power for the electricity grid(New Scientist)
What are the best ways to improve your cognitive reserve? 05. August 2025 (21:31) There are three types of cognitive reserve that can protect against decline as we age. Columnist Helen Thomson explores the lifestyle choices that can help you build a more resilient brain – and finds that midlife is a critical time to implement them(New Scientist)
